Let’s start by saying straight up that Venice is not most obvious place in Italy to eat pizza and there are many local Venetian specialities you should seek out when you visit. On our first trip to Venice over twenty years ago, we didn’t yet understand the regionality of Italian cuisine and were hugely disappointed by the pizza we tried. Since then, we’ve been back twice more, making sure to seek out and appreciate the dishes that Venice does best. But the good news is that on our latest visit we found these days, you can find also great pizza in Venice, and with a whole week in the city, we appreciated some variety.

Versus Meridianem

Just a short walk from the Colonna C waterbus stop on the island of Murano, Versus Meridianem offers a full range of dishes including antipasti, pasta, fish and meat dishes plus an extensive pizza menu.

The entry way leads you into a large high-ceilinged dining room with stunning Murano glass chandeliers and huge windows onto the view of the Venetian lagoon. This room leads through to an outdoor garden area with plenty more seating in the sun or the shade.

We started with a plate of mixed charcuterie before sharing two pizzas, which the kitchen cut and served half and half. The Funghi Misti had garlicky button, honey and porcini mushrooms over tomato and mozzarella base. The Goduriosa featured sausage, onion, gorgonzola cheese and spicy salami on the same base. Both were absolutely delicious and great value at €9 and €13, respectively.

Ostaria Ae Botti

Ae Botti offers those lucky enough to bag an outside table the most incredible views from its Giudecca location across the water to Dorsudoro, on the main island. A few steps from the Giudecca Palanca SX waterbus stop, it’s very easy to get to on lines 4.1 and 2.

The restaurant offers a full restaurant menu, including a range of antipasti, fish and meat courses and desserts.

We loved the enormous plate of carpaccio we shared as a starter. We ordered from their separate pizza menu – one with italian sausage and the other with mixed vegetables – both pizzas were delicious with good quality toppings and a lovely dough base.

Wow! Well done for hunting these out. The locations are amazing. It’s worth noting, as you do however, that pizza is really not part of our Venetian culture (I’m from Venice) and that there are almost no restaurants serving wood-fired pizza. This is considered a requirement for good pizza in Italy. Any pizzas you do find, therefore, are really aimed at tourists.

Yes, absolutely! The first time we went, we hadn’t understood how regional Italian food is, and so we had some very mediocre pizzas (fortunately, the majority of our eating was much better, since we have always liked to try local dishes). I was surprised this time to discover that the pizza has got better, good enough that we really enjoyed it and we are quite fussy with our pizzas. Even in London today you can find very good wood-fired Italian pizza!

Thanks for sharing these amazing suggestions! I’ve been to Ostaria Ae Botti their pizza was pretty decent even though, just like Luca mentioned pizzas aren’t really part of Venetian culture. I didn’t go to Versus Meridianem yet but I would love to try it next time I visit.

Yes, it’s not as cheap as other places in Italy, but then again I am sure it costs a lot more to bring ingredients in than it does elsewhere… even if they come in to Venice by road or train, they must still be delivered to everywhere by water and / or foot.

Definitely wish I had this guide when I was in Venice earlier this year. It was pouring rain, so we ran into the first restaurant we came to and ordered pizza and the pizza was….sad. But we were just happy to be somewhere warm out of the rain lol!

Italy is one of the best European countries when it comes to food, for me. Reason – I’m a vegetarian. That’s the only place where I ate so so so much!!! I’m yet to visit Venice. May be by mid 2019. Did either of these places serve good veggie pizzas?

Oh my. These best places to eat pizza in Venice got me hungry. The food looks yummy. The Italian sausage pizza at Ostaria Ae Botti is just what I would love and what fun to enjoy this delicious food and wine in the open with amazing views from the Giudecca location. Its so nice to discover something new at a place that we visit the second time. Happy that your pizza experience in Venice was great this time around.

Actually, what surprised me before in Europe was one pizza per person. While in the Philippines, one pizza is for 2-3 persons! haha but that was cute because I could not finish a plate of pizza! Pizza talks and pizza photos absolutely make me drool! While Ostaria Ae Botti gives you a grand view via the outside table. So great to enjoy the view while devouring on a mouth-watering pizza like Italian sausage! Tho, my most favorite pizza flavor is 4 cheese for sure! Oh, Venice! I must visit!

Generally, in Europe, the pizza size is created to have one pizza as the main meal for one person, though often I find them a touch larger than I can finish personally, my husband usually has no trouble!

Oh man I shouldn’t have read this before dinner – I am starving now! It all looks so delicious, I am a huge Italian food fan so this is heaven for me. I’d love to visit Ostaria Ae Botti for those killers views! Absolutely stunning.

It was surprising at first to read that Venice did not offer many options when it came to Pizza hang-outs. Glad that you found these and have shared your recommendations. Being a vegetarian, I am a bit wary when travelling but have read that Europe offers great options even for vegetarians. Shall check out on our trip to Europe ,hopefully next year.

Oh Venice offers lots of places that offer pizza, but the thing is that a lot of them are mediocre at best, since pizza is not at all a locally regional speciality. But Europe is indeed pretty good for vegetarians, though do note that in Europe vegetarian diet includes egg.

We spent a week in Venice a few years ago. A great city, but unfortunately also calls great prices for food and drink. If I am to pay € 8 for a cup of coffee on St. Mark’s Square, I miss the pleasure of coffee. But if you go a little way through the small streets you can find some cheaper places, where locals are to be found. And there you can eat really well. Your restaurant seems to be such a little insider tip. Thank you!

Pizza in Italy: that’s a must for sure! At least once per trip, right? hehe… Actually, we’ve never visited Venice (yep, it’s crazy considering how often we’ve been to Italy!), but we’ll eventually get there someday, probably during winter when it’s less crowded. And when we do, we’ll go to Ostaria Ae Botti. If not for the food, then at least for the fantastic views! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

While pizza is never my favorite meal choice, these pictures have made me crave it, especially that first pizza pie. Yum! I did manage to eat pizza in Italy on every visit just because…it is Italy! Thanks for the suggestions.

You had my attention a Pizza. I absolutely love it. I didn’t know about Venice not being the ideal place for pizza. These recommendations are great , especially the view from Ostaria Ae Botti.Your post made me hungry. Thanks for sharing.

I’m sure that the pizza is great. But, oh, those views are to die for. Sitting by the water or admiring the Murano Glass chandelier seems like a perfect way to relax and enjoy the Venetian cuisine. It’s like a little slice of heaven (pardon the awful pun).